Temple Sri Longan Wali Devi
Akhara Sangalwala, Bazar Maiseva, Amritsar, Whose the famous branch of Shri Longan Wali Devi Temple is a famous religious place located near Town Hall. Where there is a special worship of Mother Jagadamba Ashtabhuji in both summer and autumn Navratras. In both these Navratras, thousands of people from Amritsar city and outside come to worship Maa Bhagwati. In these Navratras, for nine consecutive days in the morning, after the aarti(prayer) of the Devine mother, Durgapath and Ram-Charit Manas are recited. Every day from 4 am to 10 am and around 8 pm, aarti is performed in the temple for twelve months and in these three periods, devotees are present with great reverence leaving their other household works. Apart from this, other festivals throughout the year are also celebrated with great reverence and enthusiasm under the management of Akhara Sangal Wala.
Baba Longdas Ji MaharajBaba Long Das ji, the founder of the above temple Shri Longan Wali Devi, was the disciple of Nirvana Priyatamdas Ji Maharaj. Who was born in Chetra Shukla Naumi V.S.1788 (1731 AD) in the famous city of Northern India, in Shahjahanpur (Uttar Pradesh) to Ramdevi, wife of Shri Ramlal ji. Ramlal ji was very happy on your birth because the child was born after eight to nine years of their marriage. Before this he had only two daughters. In such a situation, it was natural for the parents and other family members to be happy. Therefore, on the birth of the child, he also celebrated with open heart and distributed charity and dakshina among the poor according to his ability. After some time the parents called the Brahmin and named you Ramdev
Ramdev’s early education was done by staying with his parents. From childhood, your interest was more in religious stories than in text-books. Ramdev did not have the nature of fighting, quarrelling, crying etc. like other children. He was always happy to be apart from those children. Father Ramlal did not like this nature of the child. He wanted Ramdev to take interest in sports and spectacles like other children. But Ramdev always sat on the contrary, quiet, silent and sad, not knowing what to think. Exactly six years after the birth of child Ramdev, another son was born in Ramlal’s house. The happiness of the birth of the second child was as much to Ram Lal as it was on the birth of Ramdev. These two children gradually grew up. When Ramdev entered the age of 20, his mind was no longer at home. At that time both the elder sisters of Ramdev were married. Seeing this attitude of Ramdev, the parents wanted to marry him, but Ramdev refused them clearly and said that you guys should not put me in this marriage bond. i’m not at all interested in it. Ramdev did not agree to the marriage even after listening to all the family members. One day V.S. 1804 (1747 AD), on the day of Deepawali, Ramdev left his parents and siblings weeping in Brahmamahurta to search for the path of retirement. For some years, Ramdev wandered in search of the true Master (Guru). Wherever Ramdev had visions of sages and saints, he would try to understand the secret of the Supreme Father, and from those great men, he would take whatever he hears about the Supreme Lord as a Brahmavakya (Lord’s words). Similarly, Ramdev wandered from door to door in search of the true Gurudev for many years. True passion and true love never go in vain. In whose search Ramdev was wandering for five years, finally he got it. Because standing in front of Ramdev, Tapomurti Nirvana Priyatamdas ji was gazing at him not knowing a single sight. The child Ramdev also kept looking at that supernatural personality for a long time. he had no idea what to do or say. He was looking towards Nirvana ji like a disgrace. After some time he fell at his feet.
Blessings
Nirvana Priyatamdas ji Maharaj was also looking at Ramdev with affection and smiling softly. After some time, Nirvana ji slowly lifted Ramdev and, giving his affectionate blessings, asked, say, Vatsa, in whose search he has left the house and is looking for. Child Ramdev narrated his entire story to Nirvana Ji Maharaj and urged him to accept him as his disciple. In VS.1809(1752), Nirvana Ji Maharaj made him his disciple and named you Longdas and made him well aware of the indifferent religion. Baba Longdas ji started worshiping the rituals told by Guru Maharaj with a heart. Thereafter, you continued on pilgrimage along with your Guru Maharaj and your Guru brothers. Along with Nirvana ji, Baba Longdas ji also visited the four Dhams Jagannath, Dwarka, Rameshwar and Badrinath. Arrived at Amritsar in V.S 1818(1761 AD). Today where the amphitheater is situated. After staying for a few days, when Nirvana Priyatamdas ji again went to Hyderabad, Baba Longdas ji stayed in Amritsar with some of his guru brothers. In V.S 1820(1763 AD), Baba Longdas ji came to the temple where the berry is planted today and started heating incense here. According to some legends, it is also heard that this berry was also present in the time of Baba Longdas ji. Looking at the antiquity of this berry, this seems to be true.
Where the temple Shri Longanwali Devi is situated today, at that time there was nothing but dense forest. Baba Longdas ji meditated for many years in this deserted place. Baba Longdas ji was an exclusive devotee of Divine Mother Jagadamba. First of all, Baba Longdas ji made a clay idol of (Divine mother) Ma Jagdamba at this place. And installed it at the place where the mother’s temple is built today. The iron trident which is carved in front of this temple is also said to belong to the time of Baba Longdas ji. Sitting at this place, Baba Longdas ji used to worship Maiya(Divine Mother). It is said that once (Divine Mother) Maa Jagdamba, being pleased with your service and penance, gave her darshan to you and being pleased, she gave cloves to Baba ji. Since then the name of this temple has become famous as Launga Wali Devi, that is, the goddess who gives cloves. Since then, cloves were also offered in the temple. Even now people fulfill their wishes by offering cloves to the mother. Even after this, Bhagwati Amba appeared to Baba Long Das ji many times.
It is said that whenever a devotee used to come to the temple and pray to Baba Ji Maharaj for the relief of his suffering, he used to say only that whatever you want, go and ask from the mother. Whatever the devotee used to request from the mother, he would get it.
In this way, devoid of joy-sorrow, sorrow-happiness, honour and humiliation, Baba Longdas ji was absorbed in the service, worship and penance of Bhagwati for many years. After the death of Shriman Baba Longdas Ji Maharaj in V.S 1863( 1806 AD), the then Mahant of “Akhara Sangalwala” Shri Nityanand Ji was appointed as the manager of this temple. After him the management of the temple Shri Longan Wali Devi came in the hands of Mahant Parmanand ji. He made a lot of progress in this temple. In V.S. 1920 (1863 AD), Shriman Mahant Parmanand Ji Maharaj got this temple renovated.
The rock above the main darshan of Bhagwati temple proves the above fact only. Mahant Parmanand ji Maharaj had also got the well constructed behind the temple.
The author of Nostalgic Mat Darpan has told Nirvana Priyatamdas ji, the founder of the temple Shri Longan Wali Devi on page 89, which is not right. On the basis of logic and evidence, his disciple Longdas ji is the founder of the temple.
Rock in the well outside the temple
After Mahant Shri Parmanand Ji Maharaj of Akhara Sangalwala, the management of this temple was done by Sarvshree Mahant Charandas Ji, Mahant Buddha Prakash, Mahant Hiranandji Maharaj, Mahant Santram ji, Mahant Amritanand ji. It has been going on smoothly through Narvadanand ji and today the management and service of this temple is dedicated to the present Mahant of Akhara Sangal Wala “Author of this book” in disguise by God.
Construction work
- The well outside the temple was constructed by Baba Longdas Ji Maharaj in V.S 1822 (1765 AD) and at the same time he had also installed a clay idol of Bhagwati here.
- The building of the temple is four-walled and its restoration was also done by 108 Mahant Parmanand Ji Maharaj. Constructed in V.S 1920 (1863 AD) and 5 senior V.S.1916 (1859 AD), a well was also constructed behind the temple.
- Mahant Charandas ji Maharaj had installed red stone floor in the temple courtyard in V.S 1935(1878 AD) , but now in its place a modern floor has been made in the year 1991 AD.
- Mahant Buddhaprakash ji got the twin building constructed with the temple, in which Rama Art Press is now located.
- Mahant Hiranand ji Maharaj had built a verandah(corridor), on which there was a square.
- During the tenure of Narbadanand ji Maharaj, the construction work of both the big hall, the temple of Shri Hanuman ji and the upper hall was completed.
- Even after his death, the construction work of this temple is going on continuously. In addition to the four walls of the outer ground, its flooring, “Shoe-place, a big hall outside, water tank, repair of all the temple etc., work is going on now.”
Baba UttamDas ji is now the priest of the temple on appointed by the Trust Akhara Sangal Wala. Youself is a disciple of the self of Mahant Shri Darshandas ji Maharaj of the Mihan Sahib line, and is bhajananandi saint. You are a very humble, kind, sincere Mahatma(Saint). All the devotees of the Divine mother who come to the temple are very impressed and happy with your nature and personality.
